The Board of Directors (Board) meeting of the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) was a Zoom meeting held on August 17, 2021. President Mulston called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.
Attendees were: Lynne Mulston, President; Gary Maupin, Vice-President; Shawn Endsley, Secretary; Joe Leighton, Treasurer; Vincent Dory; Connie Hartke; and Brian Steiner. Director Yavuz Inanli was absent. Director Dennis Hays joined the Zoom meeting at 8:18 pm. President Mulston determined that a quorum was present and the meeting could proceed. There were no visitors.
Adoption of Agenda – President Mulston asked for adoption of the agenda. Upon motion made by Treasurer Leighton seconded by Vice-President Maupin, the Board unanimously approved the proposed agenda.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report – President Mulston asked for approval of the Treasurer’s Report. Upon motion made by Secretary Endsley seconded by Vice-President Maupin, the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report with one abstention by Director Hartke. Treasurer Leighton noted that the annual membership payment to the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations was $60. The Board had initially approved a $70 payment at the July 13, 2021 meeting.
Approval of Minutes – President Mulston then asked for approval of the minutes of the July 13, 2021 meeting. After a motion made by Treasurer Leighton and seconded by Vice-President Maupin, Director Hartke asked if the statement in the Comprehensive Plan Task Force Update – Transportation Working Group that “[a] number of issues were identified that should not be included in the Comprehensive Plan such as speed limits in Reston.” was accurate. Vice-President Maupin indicated that the statement was accurate. After that discussion the Board unanimously approved the July 13, 2021 minutes.
Comprehensive Plan Task Force Update – President Mulston, Vice-President Maupin and Director Hays are members of the task force working on the Comprehensive Plan. President Mulston noted the Task Force was on vacation in July/August and the Task Force will resume its efforts in September. President Mulston shared with the Board a sampling of sections that are included in the Comprehensive Plan but may not be limited to the following:
- Planning Principles
- Land Use
- Transportation
- Parks, Recreation and Open Space
- Housing
- Public Facilities
- Equity
- Energy and Environment
- Heritage Resources
- Community Health
- Economic Development
- Public Art
President Mulston is the lead for the Land Use sub-group and is working to submit a draft of this portion of the Comprehensive Plan to Supervisor Alcorn for his review. President Mulston plans to meet with Planning Commissioner John Carter and Fairfax County Staff for assistance in obtaining additional information such as maps for this section of the Comprehensive Plan. President Mulston noted that land use attorneys are attempting to include exceptions in this draft. These attorneys have been reminded that the development of this section is a citizen developed document.
Vice-President Maupin commented on those working groups with whom he is involved. Vice-President Maupin indicated that the Transportation and Economic Development sections were completed. He noted that the other sections remain open with working groups developing the necessary content.
Both President Mulston and Vice-President Maupin indicated that the goal is to be finished with the Comprehensive Plan by the end of 2021.
Golf Courses Update –
Director Hartke reported that members of Rescue Reston met with Supervisor Alcorn to discuss the Reston golf courses. Supervisor Alcorn reiterated at that meeting that the golf courses would not be included in the Comprehensive Plan. Supervisor Alcorn also agreed to a video session where he responded to a prepared set of questions dealing with the two golf courses. President Mulston is responsible for reviewing and editing the video session for ultimate presentation to the community. The expected method(s) of communication to the community have yet to be determined, but it is expected that use of media outlets as well inclusion on the Rescue Reston website will occur.
Reston National Golf Course (RNGC) – Director Hartke noted that Developer/Owners Warhorse/Weller have done four (4) tent shows for members of the surrounding clusters. One additional tent show has an announced date. The tent shows have not been well received by the impacted clusters and their residents.
Hidden Creek Golf Course (HCCC) – President Mulston noted members of HCCC have expressed interest in purchasing HCCC from Wheelock. That interest is not moving to a successful conclusion.
Despite the comments from Supervisor Alcorn and the opposition from the community the owners of both golf courses continue their efforts (often disingenuous) to monetize the golf courses with development.
Reston Association Updates – President Mulston wanted to ensure the Board was aware that the Reston Association (RA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hank Lynch has resigned with his last day on September 3, 2021. The Board was also informed that the RA IT Director has also resigned. The last selection process for RA CEO took approximately 9 months. President Mulston asked for Board input on the possibility of sending a letter to RA emphasizing that the RA CEO’s primary residence be in Reston. Director Hartke noted that RA currently had a requirement that the primary residence of the RA CEO be in Reston. There was Board discussion on the pros and cons of an RCA letter to RA. Ultimately, President Mulston noted that the consensus of the Board was to not send a letter on the RA CEO selection process. (See Addendum below).
RCA Certification Program – President Mulston asked the Board for comments on the possibility of establishing an RCA Certification Program for developers and builders. Director Hays agreed that the certification program was a good idea. Director Hays also suggested that the program start with an initial developer. This program will need to be established and requires a champion within the Board. There was discussion on which developer might be an initial target to be certified. There was discussion on possible elements of the certification process. President Mulston asked for volunteers to establish specific parameters and design elements based on the initial conceptual design that was shared with the Board on July 13, 2021. Director Hays and Vice-President Maupin agreed to work on the details associated with RCA Certification Program.
Other Business – Reston Community Center (RCC) – Secretary Endsley reported that three incumbents are running in the preference poll for the three open seats on the RCC Board of Governors. The three incumbents that are running are William (Bill) Bouie, Lisa Sechrest-Ehrardt and Richard (Dick) Stillson. Given there are no contested seats there is no need for an RCA sponsored candidates’ forum.
Closing – President Mulston indicated the next meeting of the Board would be on September 22, 2021 at 7:30 pm. President Mulston then asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 pm. Upon motion made by Vice-President Maupin and seconded by Director Hays the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn.
Addendum – On August 19, 2021 President Mulston solicited an electronic vote of the Board on whether a letter should be sent to the RA Board of Directors for a requirement that the CEO of RA have a primary residence in Reston. Based on the electronic feedback from the Board on August 20, 2021 President Mulston drafted a letter to be sent to the RA Board on the need for a primary residence requirement for the future CEO of RA. President Mulston asked for review by the Board with final comments to be submitted by August 22, 2021. After review and comments on August 23, 2021 President Mulston sent a letter on behalf of the RCA Board suggesting that the RA Board include a Reston primary residence criterion in its search criteria for the new RA CEO. (That letter is included as an Attachment to these minutes.)
Attachment – RCA Letter to RA – CEO Search